Rotary engine



P. ERICSON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1918.

Patented July 5, 1921.

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P. ERICSON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15. I918.

1,383,91 6. Patented July 5, 1921.

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ROTARY ENGINE.

1,383,91 6. Patented July 5, 1921.

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ROTARY ENGINE,

Patented July 5, 1921.

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PETER EBICSON, 0F TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed July 15, 1918. Serial No. 244,959.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER Enrcson, a citizen of the United States, residin at Takoma, in the county of Pierce and btate of Washington, have invented a new and useful Rotary Engine, of which the followin is a specification.

he invention relates to an improvement in rotary engines, wherein a rotor is provided with buckets of a particular type to compel a desired and important direction of the steam, for maximum power from a given steam pressure.

The invention structurally considered, includes a casing, in which is mounted a rotor, so arranged as to divide the easing into two chambers. The casing is formed with annular partitions dividing each chamber into an outer, inner, and exhaust steam space, the rotor having a series of buckets operating in each outer and inner steam space of each chamber, and the annular partitions are formed for a portion of their circumferential lengths with openings, whereby the steam is led from one steam space to the other. The chamber on one side of the rotor is for a reverse operation of the swim, and the annular wall of the casin defining the margin of this exhaust cham er extends inwardly of the similar margin of the direct-action chamber. This reduces the air resistance in the exhaust chamber when the engine is acting directly, and also prevents leakage from the directaction chamber directly impinging the buckets on the exhaust side of the rotor.

The steam inlet is divided into a steam pipe for the direct-action chamber and a steam ipe for the reverse chamber, a valve controlling the admission of steam to either chamber at will. At the juncture of the steam pipe with each chamber, there is provided a directing fin, constructed to so divide the steam and direct such divisions as they enter the chamber, as to induce a rotary movement or whirl of the steam when contacting with the particular type of bucket employed, to thereby materially increase the efiiciency of the steam action, and, of equal importance, prevent any retarding impact or influence of the steam.

The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan of the improved engine.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the control valve.

Fig. 5 is a view in section and partly diagrammatic of the steam chamber arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but through the direct-action steam chamber.

Fig. 7 is a broken perspective, showing more particularly the dividing fin in the steam pipe.

Fig. 8 is a broken perspective, showing more particularly the form and arrangement of the buckets.

The improved rotary steam engine, comprises an annular casing 1 open at the sides and supported on a base 39. The sides of the casing are closed by removable plates 10 and 11, thus providing what will be hereinai'ter termed the engine casing.

A power shaft 14, mounted in bearing boxes 16, adjustable on the base 39, passes through the plates 10 and 11. and a rotor 2 is supported on and secured to such shaft 14 within the casing. The rotor is of substantially uniform thickness throughout, except at the shaft bearing portion, and is arranged centrally within the casing, to divide the same into a direct-action chamber B and a reverse acting chamber C. It is to be particularly noted that that portion of the annular casing section 1 definin the edge of the reverse chamber exten s inwardly as at 84 of the similar defining portion of the direct acting chamber. This reduces the diameter and area of the reverse chamber as compared with the diameter and area of the direct acting chamber, for a purpose which will later appear.

The respective plates 10 and 11 are formed with concentric annular partitions which bridge the space between such plate and the rotor, and thus divide each chamber into a main steam space, which is that between the casing wall and the outermost partition, an auxiliary steam space, which is that between the respective partitions, and an exhaust space, which is that Within the inner partition. Thus plate 10 has partitions 26 and 27, and plate 11 has partitions 28 and 29. As it is desired that the respective steam spaces in the respective chambers be equal, and as the reverse chamber is oi less diameter than the direct-acting chamber owing to extension 34,-, the respective annular partitions 26 and and those indicated at 27 and 29, are not in line axially of the casing, as will be seen from Fig. 2.

The rotor is provided with buckets to operate in each steam space of each chamber, the buckets being relatively reversed in the respective chambers. These buckets, indicated at 20 and 22 in the respective main steam spaces of each chamber, and at 21 and 23 in the respective auxiliary steam spaces oi each chamber, are mounted on rings 2d and are of particular formation in order to compel a certain movement of: the incoming steam, to thereby avoid a balanced or dead steam condition during a portion of the rotary movement.

The buckets, which are uniformly similar in shape, are in block form, secure-(l at up propriatc intervals to the rotor to extend within and substantially ill the particular steam space, except as to the relative spacing or cells between adjacent buckets.

Each bucket is shaped at the respective ends to COIlJEOIlfl to the particular adjacent annular partition, and considered in edge view and in direction of movement, the forward face of each bucket presents a plane directing portion 50 for the greater portion of the length of that face, this directing portion being substantially tangential. to the casing partitions. The remaining length of such outer face is in a plane substantially radial of the casing, but is concaved to provide a pocket 51. The rear T'ZLCQ of the bucket has an outer plane portion substantially but not quite parallel to face 50, an inner plain portion 4 substantially radial oil? the casing, a comparatively narrow concave or pocket 5% being at the juncture of portions 52 and 58. The pocket 54L merges gradually into plain portion 52, but abruptly intersects the plain portion 53, so that steam led into pocket 54% is directed away from the portion 53 and the adjacent partition, and toward and into the pocket 51 of the next bucket. Thus a whirling action of the incoming steam is compelled, as will later appear.

A block 3 is secured to the casing 1, and formed with a main steam conduit divided at valve controlled juncture 5 into conduits 35 and 36, the former leading to the main steam space of the reverse chamber 0 and the latter to the main steam space of the direct-action chamber l3. These conduits and 36 open into the respective steam spaces on lines substantially tangential. to the easing partitions. In each conduit, at its juncture with the casing, is arranged a directing fin 40, which crosses the conduit to divide the steam passing therethrough into distinct streams. Tie in 40 is arranged generally in parallel relation to the axis or" the rotor, and its upper and lower surfaces diverge from an acute edge portion remote from the rotor, so that the steam is split into two streams and diverged.

The upper surface of the fin is on a plane which substantially registers with the plane or the outer portion 52 of the bucket; While the lower face of the fin forms an acute angle with the bottom of the conduit. The upper steam division is thus directed along the portion 52 of each bucket as the bucket registers with or approaches registry with the fin, while the lower steam division is directed at an acute angle against the similar portion of the next bucket in direction of rotation.

Thus the steam is given a peculiar movement, as it rides or is directed over the portions 52 of the buckets which it engages, and is directed by such portions into the pockets 541;. and out of said pockets against and into the pockets 51 of the next follow ing bucket. These pockets 5% and 51 co operate to impart a whirling motion to the steam between the buckets, and thus prevent direct impact of the steam and partitions.

It will be noted that the buckets of the main steam spaces of the direct acting and reverse chambers are arranged more closely together, than are the buckets of the auxiliary ste'am spaces or" such chambers.

The annular partitions 26' and 28 of the respective chambers are formed for a portion or their peripheral lengths with steam openings or passages, as 30, 32, to direct steam from the outer set of buckets to the buckets of the auxiliary steam spaces. The inner annular partitions 27, 29, oi? the respective chambers, are also formed with similar openings 31., 83, leading; into the exhaust steam spaces. In the exhaust spaces are open pipes 4c, 4, respectively, leading the exhaust from the engine. Thus an independent exhaust is provided for each side of the rotor.

The openings 30, 32, are so located that the initial or first opening is beyond the steam inlet to such chambers; while the openings 31 and 3-3 are located practically opposite the openings 30, 32. This tends to a more ellective util zation of the steam en ergy, for it the initial openings oi the sets 30 and 32 were nearer the steam inlets, a great amount oil. live steam would be wasted, by passing from the buckets nearly as soon as it entered; and s eh would also follow thelocation of the openings 31, 33, in radial registry with the openings 3032.

Drain outlets 37 are provided for the water of condensation from each of the di rect and reverse steam chambers.

In operation of the engine, the motive fluid, preferably steam, is directed through one of the conduits, say 36, for the direct or forward drive of the rotor. Assuming that a bucket is directly alined with the fin 40 in such conduit 36, as shown in Fig. 6, the steam is divided into two streams by the fin, and the upper stream is directed almost straight along the rear face of the alined bucket. Such steam jet, however, and before possibility of direct impact with the partition 26, meets the pocket 51 and is deflected into a curved path, which by the curved face 51 of the next following bucket, is caused to be directed toward the initial bucket. The steam passing below the fin 40, is directed at an angle onto the face 52 of the next advance bucket, this acting as a driving impact for the rotor. I-Ierc also the steam follows the surface 52 into the pocket 54 of that bucket and the steam is given the whirl as previously desirable. As the initial bucket rides past the fin, the steam will still act on such initial and advance buckets, as the passages above and below the fin are never completely blocked by the buckets. The whirl imparted to the steam is more or less maintained as the cells pass beyond the inlet. As the buckets reach the openings 30, the steam passes to the auxiliary steam space, to repeat in a reduced degree an action on the buckets 21 in that space. Finally the steam passes through the openings 31, into the exhaust space and to the exhaust pipe 4.

The fins 40 are then of particular importance. They divide and direct the steam, so as to secure the most results from the en ergy thereof, and of most importance, prevent a direct line impact of the steam on the end of the bucket.

It will also be noted that through provision of the annular extension 34 of the casing, the reverse steam chamber is diametrically reduced as compared with the direct-drive chamber. As the bucket arrangement in each chamber is substantially the same, the buckets of the reverse chamber are out of axial alinement with and inwardly of the buckets of the direct-drive chamber, as plain from Fig. 2.

The extension 34 forms, in a measure. a seal for the rotor with respect to the leakage toward the reverse chambcr, but, of more importance, this extension or guard rim, as it will be hereinafter termed, prevents a direct leakage in front of the buckets of the reverse side of the rotor, or vice versa, and thus aims to prevent to a material extent the retarding etfect of such leakage steam. Furthermore, as the reverse side is used less than the direct-drive side, the reduced area of the reverse side provided by the guard rim, reduces the air-resistance to the idle movement of the reverse buckets, as will be evident.

Vhat I claim is 1. A rotary engine comprising a fixed casing, a rotor therein dividing the "using permanently into two independent chambers, said casing having an annular projection extending inwardly beyond the outer edge of the rotor and reducing the diametric extent and therefore the volume of one chamber with respect to the other, annular partitions projecting from the walls of the casing into and dividing each chamber, buckets carried by the rotor and operating in spaces defined by the partitions, means for admitting a motive fluid to either chamber at will, the respective annular partitions being formed throughout a limited non-registering area with openings to permit the passage of steam through and beyond such partitions.

2. A rotary engine comprising a fixed casing, a rotor therein dividing the casing permanently into two independent chambers,

said casing having an annular projection extending inwardly beyond the outer edge of the rotor and reducing the diametric extent and therefore the volume of one chamber with respect to the other, annular partitions projecting from the walls of the easing into and dividing each chamber, the partitions of one chamber being out of alinement with the similar partitions of the other chamber axially of the casing, buckets secured to the rotor and operating in the spaces defined by the partitions, means for admitting a motive fluid into the outermost chamber defined space, the outermost partition being formed throughout a limited area remote from the motive fluid inlet with openings to permit the passage of the motive fluid into the space defined by the partitions, the innermost partition being formed throughout a limited area with openings which are out of registry with the openings in the first mentioned partition, and exhaust pipes leading from the spaces within the inner partitions of each chamber.

3. A rotary engine comprising a fixed casing, a rotor therein dividing the casing permanently into two independent chambers, concentric annular partitions dividing each chamber into independent spaces, a series of buckets secured to the rotor and operating in each of said spaces, each bucket having a forward plain face substantially tangential to the partitions, and a concave pocket inwardly of such plain face, the rear face of each bucket being plain in the outer portion thereof and formed at the limit of such plain portion with a pocket merging into the plain face and curving beyond such face in a direction away from the adjacent partition to direct the incoming motive fluid away from impact with such partition and toward and into the pocket on the forward face of the next rearrnost bucket, a motive fluid, inlet, and a fin dividing said inlet into upper and lower passages, the upper surface of 5 the fin being on a slight angle to the radial plane-0f the rotor passing thrugh such fin, the lower surface of the fin being substantially tangential to the rotor, whereby with a bucket alined with the fin the upper motive fluid stream is directed substantially along 10 4 the rear face of such bucket, while the lower motive fluid stream is directed at an acute angle to the rear face of the next bucket in advance.

PETER ERICSON 

